Many patients arrive here because they know something is not quite right with their body, but they are not yet sure what kind of care makes the most sense. Some are deciding between chiropractic and physiotherapy. Others have concerns like lower back pain, neck pain, headaches or postural strain want to know what to expect before they commit.
This page is here to make that first step feel simpler, clearer and more comfortable.
Many people delay booking because they:
You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. If you are new to the practice, have a new issue, or have not been in for more than 12 months, the right starting point will usually be a Principal Consult. It does not matter if you are not yet sure whether chiropractic or physiotherapy is the better fit — that first appointment is where we assess what is going on, talk you through our diagnosis and recommendations and help map out the most appropriate next step from there.
The right starting point is a Principal Consult if:
If one of the above applies, it does not matter whether you are seeing a chiropractor or physiotherapist first — you will still need to begin with a Principal Consult.
That first appointment gives enough time to take a proper history, assess what is going on, and begin care in a more considered way. If ongoing care is needed after that, follow-up treatment appointments are shorter.
If you are presenting with an injury, condition or symptom that needs to be remedied, you can expect a clear diagnosis — one we make sure you understand. If the reason for your visit is more proactive or performance-focused, you can expect a clear assessment of your biomechanics and movement patterns and a practical plan from there.
We want your first visit to feel straightforward, clear and useful from the beginning. Here’s what the process generally looks like.
The link to our online patient intake form is ready to click in your booking confirmation email. We recommend filling it out and submitting it before your appointment so we have the right background information from the start.
Arrive around 10 minutes before your scheduled time. If you are running late, let us know. We may be able to shuffle things so your visit does not result in a shorter consult.
Your visit may include:
You can claim consult fees back from your health fund instantly when settling your account, where applicable.
At Human Movement Co., both chiropractic and physiotherapy sit under the same broader philosophy. Each approach is diagnosis-led, grounded in clear and practical explanation, and tailored to the individual and the realities of their lifestyle. We see movement as part of the solution, not something to fear or avoid, and our focus is not just on short-term symptom relief. The broader goal is better function, more durable recovery, and long-term outcomes that hold up beyond the treatment room.
What separates chiropractic and physiotherapy is not the overall goal, but the clinical emphasis. Both are diagnosis-led and tailored to the individual, but they tend to approach recovery through a different primary lens.
Chiropractic is generally more hands-on and movement-restoring, with a stronger focus on joints, restriction, stiffness and mechanical function. It is often a useful pathway for people dealing with lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches or recurring postural strain.
Physiotherapy is generally more rehabilitation-led, with a stronger focus on exercise, strength, load tolerance and rebuilding capacity over time. It may be a better fit when the priority is restoring movement, improving strength and working through problems like shoulder pain or recurring sports injuries.
Some people naturally feel drawn to one approach over the other, and in some cases the best fit may involve a combination of both, depending on the presentation and what the person needs most.
Here are some of the practical questions people commonly want answered before they book.
If you have never visited our practice before, are returning with a new condition or injury, or your last visit was more than 12 months ago, you will need to book a Principal Consult. These appointments take around 30 minutes, though we recommend allowing up to 40 minutes.
After that, Treatment Consults are shorter:
Our appointment fees can vary depending on the appointment type, so the best place to check the most up-to-date pricing is our book online page.
Wear something comfortable that lets you move easily. You do not need anything special, but it helps if you can sit, stand and move without restriction during the appointment.
No — you do not need a referral to book in.
If you have been referred by your GP, it is worth asking whether you are eligible for a chronic condition management plan, which may be partially subsidised by Medicare.
Yes — you can still come in if you are pregnant. Chiropractic care can be tailored appropriately throughout pregnancy and is often used to help reduce tension, improve comfort and support pelvic biomechanics as your body changes. If this is something you are dealing with, our pregnancy pain page may also be helpful.
If you are pregnant and booking in, just let us know so we can make sure your care is adjusted appropriately for your stage of pregnancy.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible.
Appointments changed or cancelled with less than 18 hours’ notice may incur a fee. Any outstanding balance will need to be settled before or at your next booking.
If you are running late, we do apply discretion case by case, but a late arrival may mean a shorter consultation.
We have free 2-hour parking available near both clinics:
For full access details, directions and clinic information, visit our Leichhardt clinic or Gladesville clinic pages.
Even if it feels like “just stiffness” or a recurring flare-up, issues like headaches, postural strain or shoulder pain are still worth getting assessed if they keep coming back.
Explore our clinics in Leichhardt and Gladesville and see which one feels most relevant to you.
Our Leichhardt clinic supports Inner West locals that want to recover, move well and feel confident in their body.
Our Gladesville clinic supports Lower North Shore locals that want to recover, move well and feel confident in their body.
If you would rather explore a little more before booking, these pages are a good next step.
Learn more about how we assess, explain and build care around diagnosis, movement and long-term progress.
See the kinds of people and problems that commonly bring patients to the clinic.
If you’re still unsure which path fits best, these service pages will help you understand the difference a little more clearly.
If you feel ready to move forward, you can speak with a practitioner or simply book an appointment.
